Arlington cemetery hosting special events

The American Legion Online Update e-newsletter

Arlington National Cemetery is hosting a series of special events over the next five weeks to as part of its 150th anniversary commemorations.

The national ceremony opened the commemoration this week with a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of Army Pvt. William Christman, who was the first military burial at Arlington. At the age of 20, Christman enlisted in the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry on March 25, 1864, and was hospitalized for measles five weeks later. He died on May 11 and was buried at Arlington on May 13.

The cemetery will also host lectures and tours that highlight the history of the United States through the eyes of its heroes buried at Arlington and the military conflicts that shaped the cemetery and the nation.

The highlight of the commemoration is the “Arlington at 150 Observance Program: A Tribute to Arlington’s Past, Present and Future,” featuring historical vignettes and musical performances on the evening of June 13. This is the first time that Arlington has hosted an evening program in the Memorial Amphitheater. The event is free and open to the public.

Renaming ceremony for the Old Amphitheater and Decoration Day observance, 5 p.m. May 30

“Arlington at 150 Observance Program: A Tribute to Arlington’s Past, Present and Future,” pre-show starts at 8 p.m. June 13

Wreath-laying ceremony, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 9 a.m. June 16

Additionally, Arlington has partnered with ANC Tours by Martz Gray Line to provide a series of narrated tours exploring Arlington’s rich history. Tours are $9 per person and include transportation around the cemetery, a speaker and a narrator from the Arlington National Cemetery History Office.

The schedule for tours:

The American Civil War, 2 to 5 p.m. May 19 and June 2

Uncle Sam’s Little Wars, 2 to 5 p.m. May 20

World War I: Bringing our Heroes Home, 2 to 5 p.m. May 21 and June 3

World War II: The Greatest Generation, 2 to 5 p.m. May 22

U.S. Military and the Cold War, 2 to 5 p.m. May 23

Late 20th Century to the Present, 2 to 5 p.m. June 4

Monuments and Memorials, 2 to 5 p.m. June 5Medal of Honor, 2 to 5 p.m. June 6